Emergency apparatus for damaged ships



Aug. 18, 1925. 1,550,144

R. BLUMBERG EMERGENCY APPARATUS FOR DAMAGED SHIPS Filed Feb. 13, 1920 7 sheets-sheet 1 Aug. 18, 1925.

R. BLUMBERG EMERGENCY APPARATUS FOR DAMAGED s1111 s 13 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 1,550,144 R. BLUMBERG l v EMERGENCY APFARATUS FOR DAMAGED SHIPS Filed Reb. 15, l1920 l7 sheets-sheet s Aug. 18,l 1925.

R. BLUMBERG EMERGENCY APPARATUS FOR DAMAGED SHIPS 7 SheetsISheet 4:y

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R. BLUMBERG 5 I EMERGENCIAPPARATUS FOR DMAGED SHIPS Filed Feb. 15. 1920` 7 Sheetsf-Sheet 5 5MM/woz vAug. 18, 1925. 1,559,144 y R. BLUMBERG -mmnc'mnory APPARATUS FOR DAMAGED SHIPS Filed F 15, 1920 7 sheets-shew 4f 42' w21@ l 5 '40 Q44 aum 91,

Aug'. 18, 1925. v Y 1,550,144,

R. BLUMBERG EMERGENCY APPARATUS FOR DAMAGED SHIPS Fl'ed Feb, 15, 1920 7`Sheets-Sheet 7 gg@ Y.

Patented Aug. 18, 1925.

RALPH BLUMBERG, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

EMERGENCY APPARATUS FOR DAMAGED SHIPS.

Application filed February 13, 1920.

l 10 @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that l, RALPH BLUMBERG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Emergency Apparatus for Damaged Ships, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to emergency safety apparatus for temporarily stopping a rent in the hull of a ship caused by torpedo, collision or other accident. More specifically, the present invention is a further development of the apparatus disclosed in my prior cri-pending application Serial No. 22d-,827, .tiled h/larch 2G, 1918.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide means for positively securing the mattress in position over the rent; to devise improved apparatus for more conveniently lowering and positioning the mattress; and to. provide special means for supporting a mattress for use at the extreme bow of a ship; all without changing in any way the structural features of the usual eX- isting types of ships` in common use.

ln order that the invention may be clearly understood, reference is had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which:

Figure 1 is ay fragmentary side elevation of the hull of a ship showing one method of supporting a mattress holding frame therefrom;

Figure 2 is an outside elevation on an enlarged scale showing a portion of the supporting frame and my improved means for securing the mattress in position;

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4iis an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation tal-ien on the line 1 4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a side elevation showing a modified construction of mattress lowering and positioning means;

Figure G is an enlarged fragmentary seetional elevation on the line 6 6 of Figure 5;

Figure is a side elevation of the bow ot a ship showing my improved bow protecting means mounted. thereon;

Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional plan taken on the line 8 8 of Figure 7;

Figure El is a perspective view of a still further modified arrangement of apparatus for controlling and positioning the mattress;

Serial No. 358,480.

Figure 10 is a side elevation of such apparatus, parts of the ship being in section, and one position of the frame members being shown in dotted lines;

Figure 11 is fragmentary front elevation of the same, parts being broken away;

Figure 12 is an enlarged perspective view of a spring latch which I employ;

Figure 13 is an enlarged sectional plan of a structural detail, the section being taken substantially on the line 18-13 of Figure l1;

Figure 14 is a side elevation showing a slightly different construction of supporting truck; Y

Figure 15 is a side elevation, similar to Fig. 10, but showing a slightly modified c011- struction;

Figures 16 and 17 are enlarged fragmentary details in perspective, showing structural features embodied in the apparatus illustrated in Figure 15;

Figure 18 is a side elevation similar to Fig. 1, but showing a still further modified arrangement Figure 19 is asectional view of thel mattress and securing means therefor, similar to Figure 3, but showing a different construction g Figure 20 is a fragmentary perspective view on an enlarged scale showing a detail of construction embodied in Figure 19;

Figure 21 is a front elevation, similar to Figure-2, showing a still further modified construction of mattress, parts being broken away;

p Figure 22 is a transverse section substantially on the line 22-22 of Figure 21, the hull of a ship being also shown in section; and

Figure 23 is a fragmentary side elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the upper part of the mattress shown in Figure 21.

Referring to the drawings in detail and more particularly to Figure 1 thereof, A represents the hull of a ship and B port holes therein. A rail C is mounted longitudinally of the hull and spaced therefrom, the ends of this rail entering two port holes and being secured therein in any suitable manner. lt will be understood that the rail C may be positioned at any desired point along the length of the hull by inserting its ends into 'any two desired port holes.

The mattress carrying frame is supported from the rail C by means of a pair of carlll CAD

riages E. Each of these carriages comprises a yoke 7 in which are mounted a pair of concave rollers 8 adapted to engage both above and below the rail C.

The frame itself consists of members 1 secured to the yokes 7 and united by a cross bar 3. Below this bar extend vertically a pair of side member-s t, such members being preferably 'formed in sections united by means of couplings 2. These couplings are preferably of a detachable character and may comprise telescoping members held together by transverse pins 2.

At the lower portion of the frame is a rectangular structure formed by side members 1 andtop and bottom cross bars 5 and 6 and within this rectangular structure is secured the mattress D in any suitable manner, as by short cables 16. At the lower end of the side members are mounted pulleys 10 over which pass controlling cables 9 Yfor the purpose of steadying` the frame in proper position. These may conveniently enter certain oi the port holes B.

In practice the mattress and lower part ot the frame may be stored on board the ship in any convenient location. When occasio'n requires the upper part ot the frame including the members 1 and 3 is swung upwardly into vertical position, as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 1 and the lower part or the 'frame carrying the mattress is then attached to the upper part bv means of the couplings 2. The whole is then swung outwardly and downwardly into position and can be adjusted longitudinally of the rail C so as to properly cover the damaged 'portion of the hull.

In order to positively secure the mattress in place over the rent, I provide the construction shown in detail in Figures 2 and 3. Referring to these figures, it will be seen that a screw 11 passes through the center ot the mattress and is tightly secured thereto by means of washers and lock nuts 12 and The outer end of the screw is engaged with the center of a tour-armed spider 15, to which it is secured by means of the nut 11i. In the present embodiment, the mat tress is preferably secured to the framework et, 5 and 6. by means of .staples 16 as shown, er other Vlastening devices, and the ends of the lspider arms terminate in suitably shaped seeltets 17 which are adapted to embrace the frame members.

is in my 'toi-nier application, the mattress D shown in Figures 2 and 3 is preferably provided with a marginal Ilai'ige or rim d. This is tor the purpose ot engaging the hull around the rent and making` a tight joint, and to space the mattress 'trom the ragged edges. 4In order to make the mattress conlorin lmore closely to the shape of the hull I propose to pack the rim with the fibrous illing more tightly at the corners than at the center of the sides. In other words, the stui'ling will be solltest and loosest at the middle ot the sides, and increase in hardness and tightness toward the corners.

In order to repair the ship hurriedly and put it in sea-going condition, when the hull has been punctured, I propose that after the mattress has been swung into position over the rent a, as above described, with the screw 11 projecting through such rent, a second spider 1S is to be slipped over the inner end of the screw and clamped in position by means et a wing nut 19. It will be understood that the ends of the spider 18 bear against theinside ot the hull so as to securely hold the mattress in position. A lter it has been clamped, as inst described, the lower couplings 2 may be disconnected and the rest ot the trame detached.

le'lerring now to Figures 5 and 6, I have shown a slightly modiiied arrangement in which instead ot a rigid trame, only a pair ot side members is employed. These side members are preferably 'formed in sections united by couplings 2, as above described. Each side member consists of portions and 24 each of the portions 23 beingl pivotally connected at 23 to a carriage E adapted to travel along on the usual rail B. rFliese carriages are similar to that shown in my former application and consist of a trame 2O carryingl a pair ot' rollers 21 adapted to the top et the rail and two pairs ot rollers 22 adapted to eng ge underneath the saine. It will be noted that the members 23 are bent at right angles, as shown in Figure 6, se as 'to space the mattress and associated parts a short distance from the side ot the hull.

rIhe members 24s carry pulleys 29, 30. 31 and around which pass controllingcables 25, 26, 2T and 28 by means ot' which the position oi: the mattress D may be adinsted as desired.

rThe arrangement shown in Figures 5 and 6, above described, is well suited 'ter use at the extreme bow et the ship. In this case one ot the members 24, and associated parts, would be on one side and one on the other, with the mattress extending around the bow after the manner indicated in. Figure S.

In Figures 7 and 8, however, I have shown another form of mattress supporting device. also adapted especially for use at the extreme bow or stern, where either one or two rents.` X, Y, are likely to Occur. In this case I have provided a somewhat larger mattress D?. acapted to extend around on both sides et the hull, as shown in Figure 8. This mattress also has ribs er rims (Z d which may extend around the edges or be located at other suitable points. The trame F for supporting' this mattress preferably consists ot two pairs of upwardly converging memliers 33 and 341- suitably braced and connected at their lower ends with upper and lower hori- Zontal members ot' such shape as to conform with and snugly embrace the bow of the hull. Ait their upper ends the members 33 and 34 are united and pivotally mounted in any suitable way. lin the embodiment shown they are illustrated as attached to a pulley 36 which is adapted to roll along a suitable track having a stop 37 at its end to limit the forward movement ot' the device. Any desired means tor raising and lowering the frame and mat for swinging them upwardly about their pivotal support may be provided. ln Figure 7 also l have illustrated the mattress supporting frame as comprising a plurality oi' cross bars 70, having bolt holes 71 at their points ot intersection, for a purpose more fully hereinafter explained and in connection with 'Figures 18 and 19.

ln Figures 9 to 14, inclusive, l have shown a further modified arrangement for supporting and manipulating the mattress. Referring to these figures, the mattress trame is supported on a truck F which is mounted on rollers 38 so as to be freely movable over the deck. This truck preferably comprises two side members 38 shaped as shown in Figure l0 and spaced apart and united by an l-beam S39. rFhe members 38 have torwardly projectin r arms 40 which extend over the railing Pivoted by means of bolts 42 to the ends of the arms 40 are side members 41 constituting part of the 'frame by which the mattress is manipulated. rlhese members 41 are preferably vertically adjustable and to this end they are shown in Figures 11 and 13 as held in rotatable blocks 43, secured to the bolts 42. The members 41 are preferably provided with holes or notches 48 in which the end 46 ot' a plunger is adapted to engage, such plunger being` urged inwardly by a spring 47, as clearly illustrated in Figure 13.

The mattress D is secured to a frame 4 in the manner above described in connection with the other figures and this trame is united by means of coupling members 2 to side members 44. rFhe side members 44 are pivotally connected at their ends, as indicated at 49, to brackets 50 secured to the members 41. The members 41 project beyond the brackets 50 so as to act as a stop to limit the movement ot the members 44, such an ar lange'ment constituting what is known as an elbow joint. In order to lock the members 41 and 44 in alined position, l provide latch members 52 pivoted to the members 44 at 53 and associated with lugs 54 arranged to limit the movement of the swinging latch members. .Springs 55 normally hold the latch members against the lugs 54 (see Figure 12). The extreme ends of` the members 41 are beveled, as indicated at and, when the members 44 are swung into alinement with the members 41 these beveled ends 51 engage under the swinging latch members 52 and thus lock the two members 41 and 44 together in substantial alinement, as shown in Figure 10.

The side members 3S of the truck F are extended rearwardly to form tail pieces 38" at the ends oi which are provided circular bosses 56 through which pass bolts 57 secured by hand nuts 5S. To these bolts, underneath the tail pieces 38h, are attached weight boxes 59, mounted on rollers 60. rFliese weight boxes may be iilled with sand or other suitable heavy material and are for the purpose ot counter balancing the weight ot the mattress and associated parts so as to prevent the truck from tilting.

In other modifications, have described how, when an emergency arose, it was necessary to couple together the various trame sections before the mattress could be lowered. In the present arrangement, in order to save time and secure Aquick movement, l propose to have the parts normally all united, so that the complete equipment, comprising the mattress, and the frame members 41 and 44, and associated parts, is always ready for instant use. The apparatus will be stored in some suoli relation as shown in Figure 9, with the mattress lying at a low elevation and at an angle, thus not interfering with navigation.

The method or manipulating the apparatus just described will be apparent. l/Vith the parts in the position shown in Figure 9, the mattress and attached trame are so moved as to tirst cause the side members 41 to rotate about the pivots 42 until the members 44 rest upon the blocks 43 in a substantially horizontal position. The mat is then lifted so as to cause both the members 41 and 44 to continue their swinging movement around the pivots 42 until a vertical position is reached. rlhe mat and attached side members 44 are then swung outwardly over the side of the ship, turning about the pivots 49 and when the members 44 reach a vertical position, the latch members 51 will engage theJ swinging latches 52 and lock the parts rigidly in position, as shown in Figure 19. During this lowering operation, the cables 9 are used to steady the mattress and control its movement.

The location of the mattress longitudinally oit the ship can then be determined by rolling the truck and attached weight box along the deck, as well as by manipulating the cables 9, as described in connection with Figure 1.

ln some cases it may be desirable to form the side members of the truck as indica-ted in Figure 14, in which ligure the side members 38 have the arms 40 pivotally connected thereto by means of a rule joint 61 so that the arms 40 may be swung back out of the, way, as indicated in dotted lin s. fr hook or the like, G2, may be employed Ator holding the armr lO in extended position.

In order to effect the proper operation of the joint connecting the members 41 and LA, and to insure the locking of these members rigidly together before th@ mattress reaches the water, I may employ the slightly modilied arrangement shown in Figure 15. In this ligure designates the truck, 59 the weight box, attached by a bolt 57, and 38 designates the truck arms. To each ot the members 1:1 is secured by means ot a screw a a bifurcated bracket 65, to which is pivotally connected at 54; one end of a brace bar G8. The tree end ot this brace bar terminates in a pair or Haring jaws G5, adapted to engage a pin 67 carried by one olf the arms 38 of the truck. Vslhen lowering the mattress as described, these brace bars are used to arrest the swinging movement of the members l1 in the position shown in Figure 15 until the members la and as sociated parts have also reached the position indicated in this ligure, and have become rigidly locked to the members 41. Then, by slightly raising the connected traine a1, all, the brace bars (33 will be released from the pins 67, and the entire frame and mat can swing cownwardly into place, as indicated by the dotted lines.

In Figure 1S I have shown a plurality of lined spaced trame n'iembers 24: pivotally mounted at their upper ends 24a to a suitable support. rFliese members may be an chored at the port holes B as shown. The mattress is carried by members 1 /la, as above, and these are mounted on a truck F2.

rIhe members 211: are provided at or near their lower ends with one or more transversely extending brackets, two of such brackets S2, 83 being shown. Each bracket carries a pair oi pulleys 31, as illustrated, and around these pulleys pass pairs of cables 27, 2S, 27, 28, 27a, 28, and 27h, 2th. One end of each ot these cables, as, for eXample, the cables 27, 28, is equipped with snap hooks 28". rllhe cables are normally passed around the pulleys, and both ends carried up to the deck. lslhen an emergency arises, and it is desired to lower a mattress, the snap hooks or' a pair of cables are quickly engaged with rings or eyes 7 2a Yformed at the lower corners of the mattress and the cables may then be employed to pull the mattress rapidly down through the water and properly position the same.

It will be understood that the members 24e may be placed any desired distance apart, and are permanently anchored, as shown. A plurality or mattresses may be located between each pair of such members, and positioned by means of the various pairs of cables above described.

The mattress D3 shown in Figures 18 and L Se Lasarte 1i), is or special construction. In addition to the marginal trame members (38 and 59. there are provided a number oi: intermediate or cross-bars or men'ibers 70. Preferably also a peripheral trame 73 surrounds the edge of the mattress and is rigidly united to the traine (S8-69 by means ol connecting arms 72. rlhis trame 7 3, which is clearly shown in Figure 20, is 'for the purpose ot reinforcing lthe marginal ilange d, and is provided with holes 7st by means of which it may be bolted to such ange. It will be noted that this mattress and trame, with the upstanding marginal lange, which in some instances may be several feet in height, is well adapted for use as a life raft, in case of necessity.

At the intersections of the cross bars holes 71 are formed, adapted to receive bolts 75. These bolts pass through the mattress and are held in place by wing nuts 7 G. Each oit the bolts terminates on the inside ot' the mattress in a screw threaded end 77, as clearly shown in Figure 19, adapted to receive a similarly threaded socket 79 formed in the end of a bolt 78. This bolt 7S has a screw threaded end 8O which passes through the center of a spider 18, as in Figure 3, and is secured by a nut 81. A

By reason ot the i'act that a plurality ol the stub bolts are carried by the mattress, at least one of such bolts will necessarily project through any rent over which the mattress is placed, and the spider can readily be attached to it by means of the socket bolt 78, thus clamping the mattress in position. rllhis method or securing the mattress is also illustrated in Figure 8.

In connection with this method of clamping the mattress over the rent, it may be pointed out that such method permits ot the positioning truck such as F, and `trame such as L11--t4, being imediately detached from the mattress, and removed, thus keeping the deck clear. In naval use, for example, the truck and mat would be stored in some unobtrusive place, and, when an emergency arose, run out onto the deck. As soon as the mattress had been placed in position, and secured, as described, the truck and trame would be at once disconnected, and moved back out of the way, thus keeping the deck cleared for action, as required. Thus any desired number of mattresses might be employed, and a number of succesive rents stopped, and the water pumped out, thereby keeping the shift aioat indefinitely.

In Figures 21 to 23 I have shown a somewhat difl'erent construction of mattress which possesses certain advantages. In the other figures I have illustrated the mattress as substantially flat, with the frame on the outside. In the present construction, however, the mat l)4 is arranged outside of the -supporting frame, and such trame is preferably dished so as to form an arch in all directions. rFhis results in great structural strength, enabling,` the mattress to better withstand the water pressure, and to offer less resistance to movement through the water. lt also enables the mattress to easily,v clear any projecting ragged edges of the rent X. The frame is shown as having a square shape, but may, of course, be made in any desired form. For example, it may be fashioned after the manner of a boat, and so constructed as to be capable of carrying; a number of passengers, if emergency requires. ln fact, the form shown in the drawings could be used as a boat.

As illustrated, the arched frame coinprises horizontal members Sli, vertical members 85, and diagonal or corner members 86, At the intersections of some or all of these members are set inwardly projectingl stub bolts 77', any suitable one of which is adapted to be engaged by a socket bolt 78, as described in connection with the previous ures.Y This bolt 78 passes through a spider 18, hereinbefore described, and may be secured in position by means of a nut in the form of a hand wheel 8l. The edge of the mattress, where it engages the hull, may be provided with a thickened portion or rim d4.

The supporting` members such as 4 pass through the mattress, and join the interior framework. ln order to form a watertight joint, the members ll may be threaded where they pass through the mattress, and washers da and 87 placed on the inside and outside of the mattress, respectively` the latterbeing; secured by means of a nut 88.

What is claimed is 1. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with the hull of a ship, of a mattress, a frame for positioning?,` the mattress over a. rent in the hull, said frame beine` detachable from the mattress, and means for holding; the mattress in position after the frame has been detached.

2. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a ship, of a truck movable along the deck thereof, a mattress, and a pair of frame members secured at one end to said mattress and at the other end to said truck, each of said members comprising two pivotally connected sections.

3. ln apparatus of the character described, the combination with a ship,of a truck movable along1 the deck thereof, a mat tress, and a pair of frame members secured at one end to said mattress and at the other end to said truck, each of said members comprising` two sections pivotally united by means of an elbow joint.

a. ln apparatus of the character described, the combination with a ship, of a truck movable along the deck thereof, a mattress, and a pair of frame members secured at one end to said mattress and at the other end to said truck, each of said members comprising two sections pivotally united by means of a self-locking elbow joint.

5. ln apparatus of the character described, the combination with the hull of a ship, of a mattress adapted to be positioned over a rent in such hull, a plurality of stub screws passing through said mattress, a spider on the inside of said hull, and a socket bolt passingl through said spider and adapted to engage any one of said screws to clamp the mattress in position.

6. lin apparatus of the character described, a mattress comprising' a body and a marginal flange, and a peripheral reinn forcing` frame surrounding;` and secured to said flange.

7. ln apparatus of the character deA scribed, the combination with a ship, of a truck supported wholly by and movable along` the deck thereof, said truck having` laterally extending` arms, a mattress supporting frame pivotally carried by said truck to balance the wein-ht of said frame.

ln testimony whereof l aiiix my signature.

RALPH BLUMBERG,

arms, and a counterweigght secured to said'. 

